Linux From Scratch - Version 7.1-rc1

Chapter 4. Final Preparations

4.6. About the Test Suites

Most packages provide a test suite. Running the test suite for a
newly built package is a good idea because it can provide a
“sanity check” indicating that
everything compiled correctly. A test suite that passes its set of
checks usually proves that the package is functioning as the
developer intended. It does not, however, guarantee that the package
is totally bug free.

Some test suites are more important than others. For example, the
test suites for the core toolchain packages—GCC, Binutils, and
Glibc—are of the utmost importance due to their central role in
a properly functioning system. The test suites for GCC and Glibc can
take a very long time to complete, especially on slower hardware, but
are strongly recommended.

Note

Experience has shown that there is little to be gained from running
the test suites in Chapter
5. There can be no escaping the fact that the host system
always exerts some influence on the tests in that chapter, often
causing inexplicable failures. Because the tools built in Chapter
5 are temporary and eventually discarded, we do not recommend
running the test suites in Chapter
5 for the average reader. The instructions for running those
test suites are provided for the benefit of testers and developers,
but they are strictly optional.

A common issue with running the test suites for Binutils and GCC is
running out of pseudo terminals (PTYs). This can result in a high
number of failing tests. This may happen for several reasons, but the
most likely cause is that the host system does not have the
devpts file system set up correctly.
This issue is discussed in greater detail at http://www.linuxfromscratch.org//lfs/faq.html#no-ptys.

Sometimes package test suites will fail, but for reasons which the
developers are aware of and have deemed non-critical. Consult the
logs located at http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/lfs/build-logs/7.1-rc1/
to verify whether or not these failures are expected. This site is
valid for all tests throughout this book.